Brian Ralph Holgate

Brian died peacefully in Toronto in his 87th year. Predeceased by the love of his life, Diane who died on their 62nd Wedding Anniversary. Loving parents of Annette and David. Cherished grandparents of Vanessa (Martin), Alexandra and Julia.

Brian was born in England and Diane in Wales. Brian served as a British Officer during WW11 and Diane was a wartime nurse. They moved to Canada in 1956.

Brian was in the trucking business and at the age of 70 ventured into the computer software industry. He was the 1st employer in Canada to personally take work to an employee in prison, and to keep him on payroll. As President of a Canadian company, Brian successfully prevented the parent company which had filed for bankruptcy, to seize the Canadian assets & his employee's pensions.

At age 13, Brian was a ball boy at Wimbledon, and in later years joined the RCYC, just for its grass courts! Brian & Diane loved music & theatre, country walks with their dogs, and held fabulous parties.

Brian was a charming, wonderful gentleman, with an infectious laugh. And, Diane was an elegant woman who lived her life with compassion and grace. She was quite simply beautiful!

Brian proclaimed at Diane's service: "I am the luckiest man alive!" We were all so lucky to have loved them. They will be sadly missed, and forever loved.

Friends will be received at the Trull Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (2704 Yonge Street-5 blocks south of Lawrence Ave.-416-488-1101) on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 from 9:30-11 am. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11 am followed by a private burial. In memoriam donations can be made to the CNIB or to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto on behalf of Brian and Diane.